Media Release:

12th March 2009

Watchdogs call for inquiry into CYF

Family First has lifted the lid on the CYF Complaints Authority, or lack thereof, saying that they are regularly contacted by families who claim to have been unfairly treated by CYF Social Workers.

Christine Davey, Sensible Sentencing's Spokesperson on Drug Issues, has had to extend her SST portfolio to include Children's Welfare, because of the number of letters SST receives from  parents and grandparents extremely frustrated by CYF processes. In many cases these people have had to extend mortgages or take out loans in order to access the Family Court process, whilst the other Party is able to prolong the proceedings with the benefit of legal aid, at no cost to themselves. 

Having corresponded with Peter Hughes, CEO of CYF, it has become apparent to Ms Davey that CYF offices throughout NZ operate under Mr Hughes' direction that “parents have the right to raise their children in any way they choose – unless they cross a line of unacceptability”. The problem is, as is evident in the number of child abuse cases in NZ, in too many cases CYF do not accept that the “line” has been crossed until after the child has been harmed.

Also apparent is the Minister of Social Development's reliance on CYF Advisors to keep her informed, and she accepts their word – as there is no doubt she should be able to. However Ms Davey has evidence that this information is not always current, or accurate.

There is indeed a need for an independent Complaints Authority, which must be easily accessible and user-friendly to anyone who is unhappy with a CYF outcome. This Authority's investigations will have the added benefit of providing an insight on a case-by-case basis into how each CYF Office is run, which will save Paula Bennett the trouble of undertaking her own Enquiry.

If the number of complaints being received by Family First and SST are any indication, this Enquiry is well overdue.

ends 

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